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I took a yoga class, y'all.
Go ahead and giggle, that's fine. You won't be the first.
If you're my former UPS Man, take an extra minute and enjoy (you know who you are).
When I told my brother, he turned his head and looked at me like my mama's pug does when I ask her if she's been a good girl or wants a treat.

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the Nash County Detention Center.
The detention center has received a lot of attention over the past few months and I thought a visit was necessary so I could see for myself what was going on inside the walls.
I was escorted by two of the Nash County Sheriff Office's top officers as well as one of the top officers in the detention center and a fairly new detention officer.

NASHVILLE FLAMES -- This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on November 13, 1969. The Flames of Nashville Elementary School completed their football season with a 6-0 record.

A man is dead after being stabbed multiple times.
Rocky Mount Police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at 1417 Hill Street around 11:55 p.m. on August 27.
Upon arrival, officers located 50-year-old Kenneth Earl Strickland deceased inside the residence. He had suffered multiple stab wounds.

The Sunset Park boat ramp will be closed for renovations approximately 90-120 days beginning Monday, Sept. 2.
Improvements to the boat ramp will include the elimination of vertical walls as well as the addition of rip rap shoulders to protect soil from erosion. The renovations also will ease the process of backing in trailers to the ramp.

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from August 26 through 30.

As the local colleges were ramping up for a new academic year, they also worked together to foster a culture of collaboration between themselves. On August 1, the presidents of North Carolina Wesleyan College, Nash Community College and Edgecombe Community College met to sign a Statement of Collaboration.
"It's important that local higher education institutions work together.

Nash Community College president, Dr. Bill Carver, was recognized on Monday, August 26, 2019 at the Rocky Mount City Council Meeting for his contributions to the college and community. Carver has served at NCC for 32 years.
Rocky Mount Mayor David Combs issued a resolution of appreciation stating, "Under his leadership, the college experienced sustained enrollment growth and expanded its footprint modernizing instructional spaces and delivery."

Monday, September 9 from 2:45 until 7 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, 211 East Saint James Street, Tarboro
Thursday, September 12 from 2:30 until 6:30 p.m. at Nashville United Methodist Church, 209 E Washington Street, Nashville
Thursday, September 12 from 2:30 until 7 p.m. at the Rocky Mount Moose Lodge, 521 Country Club Road, Rocky Mount

When Home Depot closed its Rocky Mount store in 2011, it was not initially on Reverend James Gailliard, Senior Pastor or the Board of Directors' radar to become the current home of The Impact Center/Word Tabernacle Church. In 2014, the church began considering the property and eventually pursued the necessary steps for purchase due to its outgrowth at the former 820 Nashville Road location and its mission to change eastern North Carolina socially and economically.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials." (James 1:2)
History tells us that Thomas Edison invented the microphone, the phonograph, the incandescent light, the storage battery, movies with sound, and more than 1,000 other things. The truth is the quality of our lives has been immeasurably improved by the genius of a man who overcame dyslexia and found that there was a great deal to learn from the failures and trials that life brought his way.

Red Oak Baptist Church enjoyed hearing memories of the church from Barbara Sue Edwards and Russell Griffin on Sunday, September 1. As they continue to build momentum for the 100 Year Celebration of the Sanctuary, the morning worship service featured a video presentation of several members who were married in the sanctuary over the years.

The Sandy Cross News Column is shorter this week due to Monday being Labor Day holiday.
Saturday, September 7 at Kingdom International Church there will be a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Proceeds go toward Israel trip expenses for David Winstead & Gary Carpenter. For more information or to reserve your plate, contact David Winstead 252-285-1296 or Gary Carpenter 252-903-7308.

This past Sunday Peachtree Baptist Church congregation, family, and friends met to worship our Lord. We are praying for all those in the path of Hurricane Dorian.
The sanctuary flower arrangement Sunday was presented to glorify God by Fran and Bobby Bunn in honor of their granddaughter, Linnea Rene' Mink, on the occasion of her 18th birthday.

STANHOPE -- Some things never seem to change -- such as Southern Nash High School's penchant for putting up almost-unbelievable numers on the football field.
Following a record-breaking offensive campaign in 2018, the Firebirds are at it once again this fall through two games -- both of which were claimed in lopsided fashion by Coach Brian Foster's squad.

Nash Central High School's Deante Watson (right) tries to avoid a tackle attempt for the Bulldogs during last Thursday night's matchup against Southern Nash at historic Firebird Stadium in Stanhope.

Southern Nash's Daylon Whitley breaks free on a long gain for the Firebirds during last Thursday evening's home football victory against the Nash Central Bulldogs.

Southern Nash High School football coach Brian Foster is joined by his game captains before last Thursday's home game against Nash Central. Pictured are (l to r) Quinton Cooley, Allen Langley, Zachary Jones and Matt Foster.

RED OAK -- Last season, Northern Nash High School's girls tennis team posted an impressive 9-4 record, and with the 2019 fall athletic season now heating up, the Lady Knights are looking once again to post a promising campaign.
Northern Nash, which is under the direction of second-year head coach Elaina Ingram, won its fifth consecutive match on Tuesday, a 6-3 team defeat of host Wilson Hunt to open up Big East Conference play.

RED OAK -- With just under two minutes left to play in the game, things weren't looking good for Northern Nash on Friday night during the Fighting Knights' regular season home football opener against non-conference foe Wilson Beddingfield.
After committing a costly penalty, which was just one of more than 20 called on the Knights, all Beddingfield had to do was convert a fourth-and-inches inside the Knights' territory that would essentially end the hotly contest matchup.

RALEIGH -- Zonovan Knight made his debut with the North Carolina State University Wolfpack a day to remember.
Knight, a true freshman running back who prepped at Southern Nash, played a key role in the Wolfpack's back-by-committee strategy during last Saturday's 34-6 home victory over in-state rival at Carter-Finley Stadium.

SALEM, VA. -- Leugim Castillo went 2-for-4 with a RBI double and starter Scotty Sunitsch struck out six over five scoreless innings for the Carolina Mudcats, but Salem's Triston Casas hit a three-run homer in the sixth as the Red Sox defeated the Mudcats 3-1 in Carolina's final game of the 2019 season on Monday afternoon at Haley Toyota Field in Salem.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The USA South Athletic Conference's football coaches have released their 2019 preseason poll.
Averett University out of Danville, Va., was atop the rankings and will look to capture the program's first USA South championship.
Last season, Maryville earned its fourth USA South football crown and the first one claimed outright.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The Tar River Youth Soccer Association (TRYSA) is partnering with BundasKids to host a Pro Soccer Clinic called Ballers for BundasKids. Professional Players from North Caroline FC and the North Carolina Courage will be in Rocky Mount to put on a skills clinic for area youth, aged 5-16.
The players will be coaching, meeting the kids, and will be available for discussion, photos and autographs at the end of the Clinic.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Last Saturday, the North Carolina Wesleyan College Cross Country teams traveled to Methodist University to compete in the 1st invitational of the season.
The women finished the day with a runner-up finish to conference rival Methodist.